FC Porto v CSKA Moscow - k.o. Wed 13th 19:45
Result: FC Porto 0 CSKA Moscow 0 FT
Porto Problems Point To Russian Punt |  | CSKA Moscow on the Asian Handicap with a start of 0.5 goals at 39/40 with Bet365 |
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Last updated: Wednesday 13th September 2006
Since winning the Champions League under Jose Mourinho in 2004, Porto have struggled to come close to replicating that success. The current squad is unrecognisable from the one under Mourinho that not only clinched Europe's premier club trophy, but also won the UEFA Cup the previous year.They did win the Portuguese championship last season, but worthy though that is, it is hardly a sign that they are back to anything like their level of a couple of years ago. New coach Jesualdo Ferreira has only been in the job a few weeks, so has had little time to prepare his squad or bring in his own players. As ever, there are some talented young Brazilians in the Porto squad - notably Adriano, Leo and Anderson - but the overall quality and depth looks questionable.
They begin their Champions League group stage tonight with the visit of CSKA Moscow. The Russian champions will really fancy their chances given not only the quality squad (they have a number of Brazilian players themselves - Vagner Love, Jo, Daniel Carvalho, etc) at the disposal of coach Valery Gazzaev, but the fact that they have shown that they have what it takes at this level, having won the UEFA Cup themselves in 2005.
In addition, Porto are set to be without a number of key players this evening so, taking everything into account, the 39/40 available from Bet365 on CSKA Moscow on the Asian Handicap with a start of 0.5 goals looks very tempting.
